A summary of "Matilda" is more quickly done than the fire
that burned Matilda’s Aunt's house down. Matilda lived with her Aunt, who was a firm
believer in truth and, in fact, (unsuccessfully) instructed Matilda in truth from her
youth.
Her
Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth,
Had kept a Strict Regard for
Truth,
Matilda, on the other
hand, had a fondness for telling lies, particularly--it would seem--the sort that
involve practical jokes. One day Matilda, left alone (and unguarded!) phoned "London's
Noble Fir-Brigade," or fire fighters, and told them that her Aunt's house was burning
down.
The Brigade came to the rescue with water hoses blaring out
water. They entered the ballroom and drenched it then turned to drenching the paintings
to preserve them from burning. Matilda's Aunt had a very difficult time convincing the
fire fighters that there was no fire to fight, for, you see, Matilda had said there was
.... The Aunt was finally successful and convinced them there was no fire and then paid
them--yes, paid them--to go.
Here comes the part with the moral.
Matilda's Aunt went
off to the Theatre
To see that
Interesting Play
The Second Mrs.
Tanqueray.
But Matilda was
obliged to stay at home as punishment for calling out the Fire-Brigade and causing the
ballroom to be drenched and the family heirloom painting to be soaked. It chanced that
while the Aunt was enjoying The Second Mrs. Tanqueray, a fire did
break out at home with Matilda there alone (I wonder who started it?). As she felt the
flames grow hotter, no one would believe her impassioned cries of "Fire! Fire!" as she
hollered out the window. They responded by saying "Little Liar!" This is why the ending
of the is that
therefore when her Aunt
returned,
Matilda, and the House, were
Burned.
To apply the moral of
the story--and summary--do be sure to tell the truth; avoid lies and pranks, especially
those involving the Fire-Brigade; never cry "Fire!” unless you mean it; and do not
acquire a reputation as a "Little Liar!”
No comments:
Post a Comment